BILL NUMBER: AB 545	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 13, 2013
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 23, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Mitchell
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Ammiano, Brown, and Gray)
   (Coauthors: Senators Beall, De León, and Fuller)

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2013

   An act to amend Section 362.7 of the Welfare and Institutions
Code, relating to juveniles.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 545, as amended, Mitchell. Dependent children: placement:
nonrelative extended family member.
   Existing law sets forth various placement options for children who
have been adjudged dependent children of the juvenile court and
removed from their homes on the basis of neglect or abuse, as
specified, which include placement within the approved home of a
nonrelative extended family member. Existing law requires that when
the home of a nonrelative extended family member is being considered
for placement of a child, the home shall be evaluated, and approval
of that home shall be granted or denied, pursuant to specified
standards set forth in the regulations for the licensing of foster
family homes. Existing law defines "nonrelative extended family
member" as an adult caregiver who has an established familial or
mentoring relationship with the child.
   This bill would expand the definition of a nonrelative extended
family member to include an adult caregiver who has an established
familial relationship with a relative  of the child 
, as defined.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 362.7 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is
amended to read:
   362.7.  When the home of a nonrelative extended family member is
being considered for placement of a child, the home shall be
evaluated, and approval of that home shall be granted or denied,
pursuant to the same standards set forth in the regulations for the
licensing of foster family homes that prescribe standards of safety
and sanitation for the physical plant and standards for basic
personal care, supervision, and services provided by the caregiver.
   A "nonrelative extended family member" is defined as an adult
caregiver who has an established familial relationship with  a
relative  , as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of
Section 361.3, or a familial or mentoring relationship with the
child. The county welfare department shall verify the existence of a
relationship through interviews with the parent and child or with one
or more third parties. The parties may include relatives of the
child, teachers, medical professionals, clergy, neighbors, and family
friends.